Firefly squidsThere are many kinds of bioluminescent creatures on earth, such as fireflies and plank

Firefly squidsThere are many kinds of bioluminescent creatures on earth, such as fireflies and plankton, or deep sea angler fish. One of the most lovely is the 5-10 cm Watasenia scintillans, who live in the Western Pacific ocean. Their body and tentacles are covered with organs that produce light, whose function is to attract prey towards the squid so that its tentacles can seize it and to help with camouflage (from both predators and prey) by making it resemble the ambient light filtering down from above.The light produced is in three separate wavelengths presumably each attractive to one particular prey species, and they are thought to be the only squids with colour vision. The patterns of glowing dots can be expressed in complex patterns, and is also used in communication with others of their species. They feed a few hundred metres down but return to the surface at nightfall. Millions of them spawn between March and May off the coast of Japan, creating an eerie light show, particularly in Toyama bay where they are funnelled up a canyon towards the surface, a phenomenon now designated as a special natural monument. LozImage credit: Takehito Miyatakehttp://www.seasky.org/deep-sea/firefly-squid.htmlhttps://www.facebook.com/takehito.miyatakehttp://www.atlasobscura.com/places/firefly-squid-toyama-bay -- source link

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